Plasmapheresis device

Abstract

A plasmapheresis device includes a column or other flow mechanism in which plasma lows following separation of the plasma from cellular components like blood cells, platelets and the like. The column includes a moiety, such as an antibody, which selectively binds to galectin-3. By removing galectin-3 from the blood stream of a mammal by at least 10%, improvements in the treatment of inflammation, suppression of the formation of fibroses, and a variety of cancer treatments can be effected or improved. The device provides tor multiple columns to remove a variety of elements but includes one which selectively removes galectin-3 from the blood flow. Other agents may be added to the plasma before recombination with the cellular components of the blood, and before returning the recombined flow to the patient.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A device for performing plasmapheresis, comprising:
 a first conduit through which blood drawn from a mammalian patient travels under the influence of a pump;   a separator for separating cellular components of said blood from plasma;   a column device through which said plasma flows, which said column device selectively removes a plasma component, wherein said plasma component is selected from the group consisting of a heavy metal, an autoantibody, a pesticide, a toxin, oxidized cholesterol, oxidized low density lipoprotein, a cytokine, an immunoglobulin, complement, C-reactive protein, a receptor for tumor necrosis factor α, a receptor for tumor transforming growth factor β, a receptor for nuclear factor kappa β, vascular endothelial growth factor, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, galectin-1, galectin-3 and cytokine receptors to provide treated plasma;   a second conduit which receives said treated plasma following passage in said column device and wherein said treated plasma is combined with blood cells separated in said separator prior to return to said mammalian patient;   wherein said first and second conduits provide for continuous flow of said blood and plasma from said patient and return to said mammalian patient.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plasma component is a cytokine. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plasma component is an immunoglobulin. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plasma component is complement. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plasma component is C-reactive protein. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plasma component is a receptor for one of tumor necrosis factor α, transforming growth factor β, or nuclear factor kappa β. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plasma component is vascular endothelial growth factor. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plasma component is galectin-1 or galectin-9. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plasma component is a cytokine receptor. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plasma component is a heavy metal binding protein. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plasma component is an IL-2 receptor. 
     
     
         27 . A device for performing plasmapheresis, comprising:
 a first conduit through which blood drawn from a mammalian patient travels under the influence of a pump;   a separator for separating cellular components of said blood from plasma;   a column device through which said plasma flows, which said column device selectively removes a plasma component, wherein said plasma component is selected from the group consisting of low-density lipoprotein, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and lipoprotein A,   a second column device for selective withdrawal of galectin-3 from said plasma,   wherein said plasma encounters said first column device and said second column device in any order,   a second conduit which receives said treated plasma following passage in said column devices and wherein said treated plasma is combined with blood cells separated in said separator prior to return to said mammalian patient;   wherein said first and second conduits provide for continuous flow of said blood and plasma from said patient and return to said mammalian patient.